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MODULAR BIO MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS (bioMEMS): INTRAOCULAR DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE
AND
MICROFLUIDIC INTERCONNECTS
by
Ronalee Lo
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING)
December 2009
Copyright 2009 Ronalee Lo

Presented in this work are two devices, an ocular drug delivery device with a dual-regulation check valve, and an arrayed, horizontal microfluidic interconnect. Both devices were designed to contain modular components; modularity will increase the flexibility, versatility, and functionality of these devices.; The drug delivery device aims to provide a new method for mitigating the progression of chronic retinal diseases. Each of the major device components (refillable reservoir, bandpass regulating valve and cannula, electrically-actuated pump, device base) are fabricated separately; several devices can therefore be assembled in parallel. These components are easily replaced with an identical part, or exchanged for an alternate design. Alternate designs lead to a multitude of additional drug delivery applications.; The microfluidic interconnect provides a standardized method of connecting the macro world to a micro one. Current interconnects are custom-made solutions which are specific to each device. The interconnect presented allows multiple connections to be made simultaneously while being simple to incorporated with existing devices. The most unique aspect of a standardized interconnect scheme is opening the possibility of “plug and play” microfluidics. Individual microfluidic elements (e.g. microchambers, microchannels, mixers, heaters, etc) can be fabricated. These elements can then be connected on-demand to form a complete system. “Plug and play” microfluidics makes available any system which can be constructed from the basic microfluidic building blocks without necessitating access to a cleanroom. Additionally, systems can be expanded, simplified, or altered simply by making adjustments to the number and order of the connected components.

MODULAR BIO MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS (bioMEMS): INTRAOCULAR DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE
AND
MICROFLUIDIC INTERCONNECTS
by
Ronalee Lo
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
(BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING)
December 2009
Copyright 2009 Ronalee Lo